Evaporator



May 23, 1944.- c. H. BEANE EVAPORATOR Filedv June 23, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l May 23, 1944.

C. H. BEANE EVAPORAT OR Filed Jun' 2:5, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 Sheets-skelet 3 c. H. BEANE EVAPORATOR Filed June 25, 1942 dead spots therein.

-asiaess EvAronA'ron a compulsion o! Pennsylvania Application June 2a, 1942, serial 448,103

duced with the result that there is a propory tionate increase in the time required to reduce the evaporator temperature to the desired degree. Furthermore, even in the case of a full Hooded plate evaporator, the existence of friction which opposes the flow of refrigerant causes a proportionate drop in the pressure between the -inlet and outlet of the evaporator with a resultl ing decrease in heat absorption.

In addition, continued eillcient operationy of a plate type evaporator requires that the oil which enters the evaporator along with the refrigerant be forced or carried through the evaporator and returned to the low side of the compressor so that oil is not permitted to settle at the bottom of the evaporator and build up therein to a point where the plate will become oil-logged.

With the foregoing in mind, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel plate evaporator which is constructed and ar- Avfurther object of the'invention is to provide a plate evaporator ofthe stated type .which operates to cause oil entering such evaporator to be forced and carriedtherefrom so that the collection and ultimate oil-logging of the evaporator is eliminated.

i still further object of the invention is to provide a plate evaporator of the stated kind which is constructed and arranged to produce a con centrated and more rapid ebullition of the refrig erant without the use of special or other separate ebullition inducing devices.

These and other objects of the invention and the various features and details of the construe tion and operation thereof` are hereinafter fully set forth and described, angl-shown in the acg/ companying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a view in perspective of an evaporator plate made according to theinvention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the rear side ofthe right, hand end portion of the evaporator shown in Figure 1.

. Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section taken on line 3-'3Figure 1.

.Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section taken on line 4-4, Figure 2.

ranged to operate `on the full-flooded principle and which has substantially maximum heat-absorption and heat-transfer factors.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plate evaporator of the type described wherein substantially the entire area of the plate constitutes a prime refrigeration surface thereby providing maximum refrigeration within a minimum of surface area and space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plate evaporator of the character set 'forth which is constructed and arranged to provide for substantially unrestricted flow of the refrig- 'erant thereby not only substantially eliminating Figure 5 is a View in perspective of a modified form of evaporator plate Yaccording to the invention. p

Figure 6 is an enlarged view in section taken on line 6 6', Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a partial view in perspective of still another modiedform of evaporator plate exnbodying the invention. l

Figure 8 is an enlarged view in section taken on line 8-8, Figure '1. 4

Figure 9 is a fragmentary viewin section, generally similar to Figure 3, showing a modified arrangement of the invention. v

Figure 10 is a view in perspective Vof an envelope or rectangular evaporator unit embodying plates according tothe present invention; and

Figure 11 is a view in perspective of a cylindrical evaporator unit embodying a plate accordpressure drop across the evaporator but also,v

materially reducing the burden of load upon the COmple/SSOT.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a plate evaporator of the character set forth which is constructed and arranged so as to eliminate and prevent the existence or occurrence of ing tothe present invention.

The present invention relates generally to an evaporator plate construction comprising two superimposed quadrilateral metal'sh'eets l and 2,

at least one of which sheets. for example, the

sheet I, is embossed Yor pressed to provide therein a plurality of lrecesses or depressions 3 of like size and shape arranged in ,a predeterminedgeometric pattern and uniformly spaced over the surface of said sheet l so that said recesses or es' depressions- 3 cooperate with one=another-l and with ythe other sheet 2 to form two groups of refrigerant passages 4 and 5 respectively which extend in predetermined angular relation with respect to each other so that one group of said passages intersect and intercommunicate with the other group of said passages.

'I'he shape or conguration of the recesses or depressions 3 embossed or pressedin the sheet I may be of any desired shape or configuration such as, for example, circular, elliptical or quadrilateral (square, rectangular or diamond shape). I prefer, however. t make the recesses or depressions 3 rectangular in shape or configuration so that the passages 4 and 5 formed thereby in cooperation with the sheet 2 extend Avertically and horizontally, respectively, of the evaporator maintenance of the plate in a fully flooded condition.

In addition. the cross-sectional shape of the refrigerant flow passages4 and 5 formed by the embossings 3 is such that the said passages at their side edge portions are of diminishing thick- 'tapered side portions of the passages, results in plate as shown in the drawings. Also, I prefer to form these rectangular depressions or recesses 3 with their long axes arranged vertically of the sheet I so that the vertical passages 4 are more closely spaced than the horizontal passages 5.

In addition to the embossings 3, the sheet I` preferably is embossed or pressed to Iprovide a header channel 6 extending adjacent and along the top or upper edge of said sheet in communication with the passages 4 at the lupper ends thereof.

The other sheet 2 may be flat except for a header channel I and an inlet channel 8 which Aare embossed or pressed therein (see Figure 2).

The channel 'I is arranged and formed in the sheet 2 parallel and adjacent to an edge thereof so that,'when the two sheets I and 2 are secured together in the relation shown, the channel 1 in said sheet 2 will register with the channel 6 in the sheet I and cooperate therewith to form a tubular suction header S of generally cylindrical cross-section shape as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The channel 8, on the other hand, extends transversely of the sheet 2 adjacent an end edge thereof and is arranged so that when the two plates I and Zhare secured together there will be formed an inlet header I with which the adjacent ends of the second group of passages 5 communicate as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. An inlet opening or port 9 is provided for 'the header I, and the suction header S similarly is provided with an outlet opening or port I0.

The Itwo plates I and 2 embossed or pressed, as aforesaid, are secured together in the relation shown by Welding or otherwise, preferably by spot welding, in the generally rectangular embossed or pressed portions 3. Too, the peripheral edges of the sheet I are also embossed orv pressed so as to reside in the plane of the embossed recesses 3 and these edge portions are welded to the edge portions of the flat sheet 2 so as to prevent the leakage or escape of the refrigerant from between the sheets I and 2.

There is thus formed an evaporator plate wherein there is provided a refrigerant flow network comprising a plurality of intersecting pasmore rapid boiling of the refrigerant at the sides of the passages and therefore more rapid and increasedebullition is aEorded-with resulting increased Vrefrigeration eiliciency. Too, this more rapid and increased ebullition, together with the relatively small flow area of the passages, serves also to carry and force through and out of the evaporator oil which is discharged into the evaporator along with the refrigerant. It-will be oblserved, in the case of the rectangular shaped em'- I bossings 3 embodied in the form of the invention illustrated, that the refrigerant flow passages 4 and 5 are of generally trapezoidal shape in crosssection.

In operation, the refrigerant such as, foiexample, Freon, or the like, is introduced through the inlet II to the header I from which it flows laterally into and through the communicatingr and interconnecting passages 4 and 5 in the plate t0 completely ood the expansion chamber. Ebullition rapidly takes place due to the converging or tapered sides of the evaporator passages and as vaporized refrigerant rises in the passages, liquid refrigerant continues to drop down until it begins to boil and vaporize and pass upwardly to the suction header S to be returned to the compressor for recompression and recirculation through the plate. The construction and arrangement of the passages 4 and 5 causes' the chamber or evaporator to become fiooded very rapidly and operates to eliminate entirely the ocsages 4 and 5 which traverse substantially the entire surface of the plate and serve as an expansion chamber for the liquid or vaporized' suction header S, preferably does not exceed a rate that will aii'ord a normal rate of overflow currence of dead spaces inthe circulatory system of the plate. Too, this particular intersecting arrangementof passages provides just about a maximum of refrigeration surface for a given evaporator surface, and the time required to pull the evaporator down to the desired temperature is materially reduced. Furthermore, the provision of the interconnecting horizontal or cross-passages 5 operates to prevent oil-logging of any particular section or portion of the plate since said passages 5 tend to equalize the liquid flow and level in said plate.

While, of course, it is generally essential that the suction header S be located at the top or upper portion of the evaporator, the disposition of the inlet header is susceptible of some variation.

Thus, in lieu of the vertical endwise arrangement of the inlet header'I, as shown in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings, an inlet header may be formed by embossing a channel II along the bottom or lower edge of sheet I of the evaporator parallel to the suction header S to form an inlet header as shown at I' in Figures and 6 or, in addition vto said vertically arranged endwise inlet header I, the evaporator may be formed to provide an inlet header which embodies both vertical and horizontal courses I and I connected in series and arranged, for example, as shown in Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings. l

In certain refrigeration installations, and particularly those in which there is a requirement 9 of the drawings wherein each of the sheets la and 2a is embossed as herein described to provide registering recesses or depressions which coing therewith and a second group of relatively operate with one another to form passages la and la arranged'in the manner hereinabove set forth,

consists of a rectangular disposition of four plate evaporators serially and endlessly joined tov gether, for example, as shown in Figure 10 of the drawings. Another of the more important commercial applications of the platetype evaporator is its embodiment into the cylindrical form shown in Figure l1 for use in the refrigeration of goods in cylindrical containers such asmilk and ice cream cans, etc., or for the cooling of water.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that th present invention provides a plate evaporator of novel construction which operates on the fullooded principle and ailords maximum heat absorption and transfer. Also, an evaporator constructed according hereto is characterized by its more rapid and speed ebullition resulting in increased efficiency and in the forcing and carrying through and out of the evaporator oil which enters said evaporator with the refrigerant. Too, the present construction eliminates dead spots in narrow elongated straight refrigerant passages extending in spaced parallel relation substantially parallel to said suction header and intersecting the passages of said first group, the cross-sectional contour of each passage of both groups having its greatest dimension in a 'longitudinal median plane of the passage and diminishing at opposite sides oi said plane toward opposite edges respectively of the passage and the cross-sectional areas of said passages being substantially less than the cross-sectional area of said suction header, and a refrigerant inlet to lsaid passages independent of the suction header.

2. A-plate evaporator comprising two quadrilateral ilat metal sheets secured together in face to face relation, at least one of said sheets being embossed to provide a suction header between said sheets extending adjacent and along one edge Vof the evaporator and an inlet header between said sheets extending adjacent and along an adjacent edge thereof at right angles to said suction header, and at least one of said sheets being embossed to provide between the sheets a first group of narrow elongated straight refrigerant passages extending in spaced parallel relation substantially perpendicular to said suction header and communicating therewith and a'second group of narrow elongated straight refrigerant passages extending in spaced parallel rela# tion substantially parallel to the suction header and inte secting the passages of said ilrst group,

. certain o the passages of said second group comthe evaporator while providing maximum refrigerating surface within a minimum evaporator area, and practically eliminating pressure drop across the evaporator and reducing the burden or load on the refrigerant compressor.

It will be obvious, of course. instead of forming the suction header S of the evaporator by the complementary channels 6 and 1 embossed in both of the sheets I and 2, that the said suction header may be formed by a single channel of suillcient size formed in either one or the other of said sheets `I and 2. Similarly, the channel 8 may be formed in the slieet I or the channel I I formed in sheet 2, or both of them may be formed in either of the sheets, as desired, or as a particular installation may require.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been herein illustrated and described, it is not intended that the invention be limited to such disclosure but that changes and modications may be made and incorporated therein within 4the scope of the claims.

embossed to provide a suction headenbetweenl said sheets extending adjacent and along one.

edge oi said evaporator, and at least oneof said sheets being embossed to provide between the` sheets a first group of relatively narrow elongated straight refrigerant passages extending inmunicating with said inlet header and the crosssectional contour of each passage of both groups having its greatest dimension in a longitudinal median plane of the passage and diminishing at opposite sides of said plane toward Opposite edges respectivelyy of the passage, said headers .each having a cross-sectional area vgreater than the cross-sectional areas of the passages. y

3.`A plate evaporator comprising two 4quadrilateral flat metal sheets secured together in face to face relation, at least one ofsaid sheets being embossed to provide a suction header between said sheets' extending adjacent and along one edge of the evaporator and an inlet header be tween said sheets extending adjacent and along the opposite edge -thereof parallel to said suction header, and at least one of said sheets being embossed to provide between the sheets a ilrst group of narrow elongated straight refrigerant passages extending in spaced parallel relation substantially perpendicular to said suction and inlet headers and communicating with each thereof and a second group of narrow elongated straight refrigerant passages extending in spaced parallell relation substantially parallel to the suction header and intersecting the passages of said I rstgroup, the cross-sectional contour of each passage of both groups having its greatest dimension in a longitudinal median plane of the passage and diminishing at opposite sides of said plane toward opposite edges respectively of the passage, and said suction and inlet headers each having a cross-sectional area greaterthan. the

'cross-sectional areas of the passages.

- 4. A plate evaporator comprising two quadri lateral ilat metal sheets secured together in face 4 to face relation, at least one of said sheets being spaced parallel relation substantially perpendicular tothe saidsuction header and communicatembossed to provide a suction header between said vsheets extending adjacent and along one edge of the evaporator and an inlet header between said sheets extending adjacent and along the opposite 4' ananas and adjacent edges thereof, and at least one of said sheets being embossed to provide between the sheets a rstgroup oi' narrow elongated straight refrigerant passages extending in spaced parallel relation substantially perpendicular to said suction header and the opposite edge portion of said inlet header and communicating with both thereof and a second group of narrow elongated straight refrigerant passages extending in spaced parallel relation substantially parallel to the suction header and intersecting the passages of said ilrst group. certain of the passages of said l0 sages.

second group communicating with the adjacent edge portion of said inlet header and the crosssectional contour oi' each passage of both groups having its greatest' dimension in a longitudinal median plane ofthe passage and diminishing at opposite sides oi' said plane toward opposite edgesrespectively oi' the passage, and said suction and inlet headers each having a dross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional areas ofthe pas- CASON H. BEANE. 

